News from Ireland - news from around the 32 counties

In the five-week period while he stayed there, the man raped the girl three times, orally raped her twice, sexually assaulted her twice and on one occasion attempted anal rape.
(Source: Irish Times)

Kildare

Savage dogs have killed the entire stock of show hens and chickens owned by an Athy breeder.
Alan Davis, from Pairc Bhríde, discovered the devastation last Wednesday morning.

“My father came over to pick up something early in the morning and when I went out to let him in a Boxer or a Mastif ran past me. I opened up the area where the chickens are held and every chicken had been slaughtered. A large terrier type dog also ran past me and scarpered out of the area.”

Alan says that he is worried how the dogs managed to get into a secured area. “I have a fully closed shed so I don’t know how they managed to get in. My back garden is completely enclosed. The side door to the alley is dead bolted from inside. I think someone may have let them in.”

Mr Davis outlined the scale of the devastation. “There were roughly 50 chickens including chicks. The majority of the birds were show birds like Barb u Buncle show hens. I also had Sultans, Yokohamas, White and Balck Silkys, pure-bred peacon chicks and Guinea fowl. I am very annoyed; this was a hobby for me. I have in the past put on shows for autistic kids, which they loved. It was never about the money for me.”
(Source: The Kildare Nationalist)

Kilkenny

The developer of MacDonagh Junction shopping centre is seeking retention permission for a car park on the space where permission had been granted for a hotel.

MacDonagh Junction Developments Ltd has applied to Kilkenny Borough Council for “permission for temporary retention of a surface carpark at a previously permitted mixed-use scheme. The temporary surface carpark is on the site of the permitted hotel of approximately 0.1505 ha, forming part of the MacDonagh Junction and adjoining lands of 4.94 ha approximately”.

The development for which MacDonagh Junction is seeking temporary retention permission consists of 45 car spaces, including two disabled spaces, a turning area, drainage, lighting, flagpoles, bollards, pay-and-display machine, and associated works.

“The temporary car park will revert to its permitted hotel use ... once construction of that development commences,” according to the planning application.
(Source: Kilkenny People)

Laois

The HSE confirmed last Tuesday afternoon that St Brigids Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise is to close within the next six months.

The HSE once again blamed the ongoing budget cuts, the public sector recruitment ban and future HIQA standards, as the reasons to close the hospital.

Last week they began consultation with the residents and their families on their options for alternative care arrangements. The HSE has not provided a timeline for the closure, however, they said that “the orderly wind down of the service will be conducted over a period of approximately of six months.”

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Nster.com